Camp for Climate Action, Heathrow, 2007 (3/3) By Martin Deane Photographs By Amy Scaife

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3.

As we got closer to BAA HQ we met up with others who made it out of the estate. I passed one of ours being "Stopped and Searched" and called out "Whippets!" as I went. The Stops and Searches were a frequent feature of camp life and we were told in legal briefings that we didn't have to give our name and address under standard Section 40 or 60 searches (I didn't when I was searched).

At BAA HQ on Bath Road, north of Heathrow, we could see police lines forming. Nevertheless, we got closer. I got pushed by an officer and I fell backwards over a low railing, but no harm done. Riot police had begun to group now so most of us retreated. Many sat down outside a local McDonald's as the riot police closed in and surrounded all exit paths.

They weren't going to attack but just to hold the protesters but still it was intimidating. I retreated further up Bath Road and a group suggested crossing the road and trying the other side. I also learned that up the side street there were about 60 being held in a "kettle" by a number of riot police and couldn't move anywhere.

Legal observers attended every action. These were usually ordinary campers who had put themselves forward for the training and who accompanied protesters on the understanding that they would be there observing rather than taking action themselves. Their presence and compiling of details afterwards was invaluable. Once we got to the other side of the road there were a few police beside us but they were not about to interfere as they were outnumbered.

We passed a structure which three young women had climbed and dropped a banner. This really cheered people up since the girls were on Heathrow land - something the camp had agreed would be too dangerous to target - armed police and security guards, etc.

We heard later that security didn't hold them afterwards but just told them to scarper. I heard the teenagers were 14, 15 and 16 - and these gems also served us breakfast on our last morning! At some stage protesters made it onto the BAA car park. This was not hard as it was not secure just the police lines and a series of low shrubs to go over.

Riot police surrounded the actual building so the car park was a good place to stop! After a while the police made a charge on the front car park to clear out the protesters. I witnessed it from the front bank and saw one girl tackled around the neck by an officer and brought to the ground none too gently.

The protesters very quickly all sat down. This meant the police would have to carry individuals off so they retreated. I overheard one say "That's another battle we've lost!" Later, a police van tried to get out of the top car park but protesters blocked the way. The protesters tried negotiating to get the 60 or so kettled comrades out from the far north-east corner of the site. But none of it.

Riot police moved in cleared the way and the van left. Protesters then took back the entrance space and a tarpaulin appeared to protect people from the constant light rain. The police still surrounded the whole area but did not seek to throw people off again.

As the afternoon wore on other groups arrived including George Monbiot who joined the camp. Some tents were put up and the BAA camp began to take shape. Many had come prepared for 24 hours in the car park. There were constant comings and goings to the car park. Some were substantial as when a delivery (by bike) turned up of cake, and tarpaulins. A white rabbit was also in evidence, rather large and called Elliot (I later learned). As evening approached the feeling under the tarpaulins was quite magical. We had made it! We were making our significant statement in opposition to the huge and powerful aviation industry and Spanish-owned(!) British Airports Authority.

After his stop and search, one Whippet was on such good form that he scored the winning goal in the BAA car park football match that took place among the protesters (though not the riot police…) Another Whippet also made his mark facilitating the car park meeting as to how protesters felt things were going and what to do next. The camp continued overnight with an impressive tarpaulin structure going up with about 150 people sat underneath - as well as a huge white rabbit. The rain and cold had got to me so I went back to camp about 3am but returned about noon on Monday to see things still going well.

The afternoon continued, the police kept their distance. About 3pm the camp had well surpassed its target of a 24 hour action and had decided to return to base. Everything was cleared up and people organized themselves for the procession home. This took place with lots of attendant police, vans and so on. I cycled home having found one of our free bikes which needed taking back.

We were welcomed home to the site amid great cheers for every last one of us (it being me!).

So all in all, a very successful camp (even though I only made the last half and missed the workshops which I hear were good). There is a danger it becomes formulaic and a bit of a circus (with every respect to the clowns!) However the last major camp meetings focused on what was to happen in the future and clearly the hope was that local or regional camps would seize the day and campaign more frequently rather than to have such a large single focus.

Neither should it be forgotten that while the high profile siege of BAA was going on there were some 17 other actions taking place across London and the region, targeting air traffic, all making their point and giving people pause for thought. Whatever the outcome for the camp's future, it remains clear Britain's commitment to climate change is pathetic, and, given the IPCC emphasis on human CO2 being the culprit, the government's commitment to expanding airports and increased road building is just the height of hypocrisy.

Martin Deane Green Party, Hull www.sokuto12.karoo.net/ Hull Campaigns More photos from the Climate Camp by Amy Scaife : www.minimouse.me.uk/scaife/index.html

Photograph Gallery   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3.

Photographs courtesy and Copyright ©  Amy Scaife 2007

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